I was listening to the radio last night and heard the song “I’m Not Who I Was” by Brandon Heath (thanks J.Rush J) and I thought I’m not who I was, am I? I just have to look in the mirror and see that I am definitely not who I was at one time. I am not the wild child who demands all of the attention (at least most of the time), I am not the selfish young woman who always gets her way, I am not the flirt I once was, I definitely am not the tight little 20 year old body I once was, and I am not a baby in Christ anymore… So what has age brought me, then? What have I learned from this aging process?
One thing it has brought me is a stronger spirit. A spirit that has heighten more compassion for others, more patience, more stillness, more peace, more seeking the Word, more laughter, more appreciation, more wisdom and I could go on and on in all the ways the spirit has molded me.
Another thing age has brought me is deeper relationships. I have found that I am more empathic toward people, who in general would have annoyed me in the past. I also have a better understanding of exactly what I mean to people. I appreciate the acts of kindness people show me more as I get older. I only have a handful of friends but the ones I have are deep and will last an eternity.
I have grown stronger in my faith, there is something to be said for the saying “hind sight is 20/20.” I can look back and actually see the hand of God in every aspect of my life, which makes my faith in God even sweeter!
I want to participate in my life more, now. I want to look ahead and say “What do I want to be like in 5 years, 10 years and 15 years?” And in doing that, it helps me participate in today. Preserving what I have, I exercise, I eat rotten but I am getting better, I read more, I stay connected with my family more. I do the things that are going to better prepare me to age even more gracefully.
I can apply the same principals to work as I can to the aging process. The more engaged I am at work and use my work as a form worship rather than just a pay check, I find fulfillment in Christ. He can bring me wisdom in my decision, patience with people, empathy for others, deeper relationships, more mentoring, appreciation for going to my job every day, seeing God in the position He has called me to do, and setting goals for the company’s future.
How are you aging? Are you secretly dying inside or are you living on purpose, aging gracefully?
In Him, Tam